John Chapter 10: Verses 4-5 (NIV)
“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”
We are able to recognise someone’s voice because we have spent time with them and know it well. I used to smile when I listened to voicemail messages left by my mum. She always started her message by saying, “Hello, Alison, it’s your mum…” No explanation was really needed – I knew her voice.
The longer we spend time getting to know Jesus, the easier it becomes to recognise His ‘voice’ or hand in a situation. Jesus says that His sheep should run from a stranger’s voice because they don’t recognise it. We teach this to young children don’t we? We tell them not to speak to strangers. But we know that people who try to lure children away, try to do so by enticing them with something exciting. The longer they engage in conversation the more tempting, and possibly dangerous, it becomes. As adults too, when we begin to respond to the ‘voice’ of that temptation, the more difficult it can become to resist. And that’s why we should heed what Jesus says teaches, and run from temptation, so that it doesn’t take a hold of us. That’s why we need to stay close to the Good Shepherd, and pay attention to what He says.
Dear Lord,
Help me to stay close to You so that I can recognise and respond to Your voice, and to run from the other voices that would try to draw me away. I ask in Jesus’ Name. Amen.